Upholding the charges "would greatly damage the confidence and trust of the public in the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system, and rightly so, " the judge wrote.

WSJ: Take the bait? NYPD anti-theft tactics criticized

Sir John, former UK ambassador to France and Portugal, was asked by the prime minister in April to look at the effectiveness and fairness of the current system.

BBC: Military medals system 'needs rapid re-think'

Lynda Wilson, Northern Ireland Director of Barnardo's, said the inquiry should be based on "effectiveness, fairness and focus on victims".

BBC: OFMDFM Committee

Efficiency and cost effectiveness trumps fairness.

FORBES: Magazine Article